Limited Light

by Carla Rossi

  When the laugher died down, the men asked for a large prank .

  I’ve got this one, Marti said. Do you want to hear one involving balloons, bubble bath, pink flamingos, or piglets?

  Jim arched a brow. Are the flamingos real?

  No, but the piglets are.

  Then definitely a piglet story.

  Okay. The church was having a harvest picnic in October. It was supposed to be outside, but it rained the whole day, so they moved it into the recreation room. They had hay bales and leaves decorating the floor and people sat around like at a picnic. We got two pigs from Kimmie’s friend who was raising them to show. We painted a big black number 2 on one, and a 3 on the other. Another thunderstorm kicked up, so they closed all the doors, locking everyone in. We’d been hiding those pigs in a cage under tarps in the back of Kimmie’s dad’s truck. He didn’t even know they were there.

  He kept asking what the noise was in the back of the truck. Kimmie said through peals of laughter. He never knew.

  We turned those pigs loose and they took off running through food, blankets, hay, and people, and caused the biggest mess.

  Danny was clearly puzzled. I don’t get why you put the numbers on them.

  That’s the best part. People were screaming and running and the kids were trying to catch the pigs. Finally they corralled number two and three. That’s when the fun really started.

  I still don’t get it.

  Think about it, Danny, Kimmie said. If you catch pigs with the numbers two and three on them, what would you be looking for?

  Danny was completely lost .

  I know what I’d be looking for, Jim muttered .

  What’s that?

  Pig number one.

  It was beautiful, Kimmie chimed in. People wandered around looking for the number one pig for an hour. Reverend Nichols had a word of prayer. Preston Woodruff wanted to call the police.

  Then, Marti continued, someone opened the door to the sanctuary and Kimmie yelled ‘Hey, I think it ran in here’. It was chaos.

  And you two call yourself Christians. Danny huffed in mock disgust. And you. He motioned to Kimmie. A youth group leader.

  Oh well, Kimmie shrugged. What goes around comes around.

  As the humorous moment subsided, Kimmie held the baby and patted him on the back as he drifted off to sleep. I was wondering Marti, what are your plans now?

  She sat back in her chair and picked up a fork to push the last two remaining pieces of macaroni around on her plate. Well, I can’t go to Dallas right now, that’s for sure. But when I cancelled my interviews, one guy flat out offered me a job. He said the interview had only been a formality to meet me to see if I was interested. Apparently he has clients from Houston who know my work. Talk about things going around and coming around. He’ll hire me sight unseen based on my professional reputation. If only my personal reputation was still intact .

  What about staying here?

  The whole table froze. There’s no work here. The closest large financial institutions are in Houston, and I’m not going back there.

  What about one of the smaller franchises? I know there’s money to be managed in Madison.

  There is, she agreed. And I realize that. But there has to be enough interest to sustain a business. For that matter, I could go it alone, hang out a shingle, and consult. But I’d have to have clients. And I’d have to want to stay in Madison.

  The words fell like a block of ice on the floor. Jim squirmed in his seat beside her. Do you have any interest in staying here?

  She thought of all the small town minds. She thought of Jim. Honestly, I don’t know. But I can’t even think about it ‘til Grandma Rose is back to her old self.

  Kimmie put down the baby and started to clear the table. That settles it then.

  Settles what?

  You’re going to come to the shop four hours a day and help me.

  Excuse me?

  I’ll pay you minimum wage to sweep up hair, wash and fold towels, and answer the phone.

  Surely she’d been struck deaf. Wh-What?

  Kimmie waved her off. Oh, I know you’re a big city executive, and sweeping hair off the floor of a beauty shop is beneath you, but you can’t just sit around here every day. Even when Rose gets home, you need to get out of this house and let her adjust.

  You know I’m not a snob, Kimmie. I’m just surprised. Why would you want me, of all people, to help you?

  Why not?

  But I’m sure I’ll mess up whatever it is you want me to do.

  Now you are being dense. It’s not that difficult. You start tomorrow.

  I’m not taking money from you.

  Whatever. But either way, you’re coming to work. I need you.

  Marti looked at Jim as the other two disappeared into the house with dirty dishes. What just happened here?

  He chuckled. You got a job. Pretty big stretch from hobnobbing with the millionaire oilmen in Dallas, but there are interesting people at Kim’s Kut-n-Kurl. Good tippers, too.

  She sneered. You’re not funny.

  Aw, c’mon, he said and reached for his shoe. You do need something to do during all this. And Kimmie does need your help.

  She banged the big silver spoon on the side of the bowl. Okay, I’ll do the beauty shop, but I won’t do the potluck.

  He squeezed her shoulder as he passed her chair. Okay.

  But something about his ‘okay’ was more like a ‘we’ll see’ – and that probably meant she was in for a fight about the potluck .

  Limited Light

  Chapter Seven

  Jim gripped the side of his desk and grimaced in pain. For several days he’d managed to avoid bumping or dropping anything on his toe. In fact, it was just getting to the point he could wear his shoe all day. Then while maneuvering around his office, he slammed into the leg of his desk as he raced to reach his phone. And wow , did it hurt .

  He swallowed hard and blinked away the drops of water that involuntarily formed in his eyes. He wouldn’t call them tears. Hello?

  I’m coming over, Jim, Preston Woodruff grunted into phone. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be there in a minute.

  But—

  Preston hung up. Jim sat back in his chair to wait for the pain to subside. Polite old coot, he mumbled to himself. Thinks he can just talk to everybody any way he wants to. He flipped through his calendar. He had no other commitments at the moment, which meant he had no real reason to call Preston back and decline his charming invitation .

  He read through his sermon notes and periodically checked on the squirrels in the oak tree. It didn’t take his visitor long to arrive .

  We need to talk. Preston stalked into the office and sat down.

  Jim put his notes aside and sat up straight in his chair, but when he looked Preston directly in the face, he almost laughed out loud. Man, that’s a serious sunburn. Preston’s face was a vivid shade of lobster red except for two bright white circles around his eyes. Is that from playing golf yesterday? Didn’t you wear sunscreen? Jim sat back and laced his fingers across his stomach. He figured the longer he teased Preston about his golf game and sunburn, the longer the old guy had to cool down. And where was your hat? You know the sun is brutal.

  Knock it off, Jim. I need to discuss something with you.

  All right. Discuss.

  There are rumors going around about you and that Randolph girl. You were seen hugging her on the street outside the coffee house.

  Jim glanced down at his calendar. Yep. Still the twenty-first century. And one look at the newspaper folded up on the corner of his desk confirmed his suspicion--it was still a free country. Not that it’s anything for you to worry about, but that was her last night in town. At least we thought it was ‘til Rose had the stroke. We were saying good-bye after a very productive business meeting.

  What in the world kind of business would you have with that woman?

  She’s an excellent financial advisor, but again, it’s nothing for you to worry about
at this time.

  Preston blinked furiously. His eyes looked like blue lights flashing through huge white rings. What do you mean at this time ? His eyes got even wider, though Jim couldn’t see how. Don’t tell me you were discussing church financial matters with her. She’s not even a member here.

  I have to disagree. She’s been a member of this church since she was thirteen years old. She lapsed to the inactive rolls when she moved away, but she never took membership anywhere else. This is her church.

  Even so. He started to backpedal. You have a church treasurer and a church accountant to talk to about financial matters.

  And they both know I had a preliminary meeting with an expert in finance to discuss our current financial situation and a possible fundraising campaign.

  Preston defied nature by turning another shade of red. A possible what? He stammered and stuttered. I thought your whole expansion idea was a dead issue.

  Why would you think that? The only thing that’s a dead issue is your support, Preston. You told me so yourself. But the rest of the church is open to the possibility. Do you know how many new members we got last month alone? And did you know Mrs. Rodriguez sold a couple hundred acres of her family’s land to a developer who’s putting in a subdivision full of two-story homes? I want those new families to attend church here.

  This church has always been content as it is. A small community congregation.

  Has it? Jim pulled a piece of paper out from under this calendar. I was going to save this conversation for when I had more information, but since you brought it up, I’ll just ask you about this now. Jim handed him the itemized list of church accounts, broken down by specific number and functions. Where exactly did this money come from? He pointed to a specific line item with a significant balance. It says it’s a building fund, and it has a huge chunk of money in it. Who started this?

  Preston waved his hand as if it meant nothing. Oh, that’s some money that was put away years ago. I didn’t even know it was still there. I thought they moved it to renovate the rec room.

  Did Reverend Nichols start a building program?

  There might have been some talk.

  And was the church behind it?

  There was a group of men who wanted to put us in debt.

  That summed it up. I see. And you were an active elder back then, too?

  Yes.

  There wasn’t any point in going on. Jim had already figured Preston was responsible for shutting down the previous building program. What he didn’t understand was why .

  Okay, then. He took the paper back from Preston. I was just wondering what you knew about this. I haven’t had a chance to talk to the others about it yet.

  What are you going to do with that money?

  We’re going to make it grow, Jim stated with confidence. The first thing we’re going to do is move it to an account where it will have a greater return. Right now it’s just sitting in a regular savings account. That’s a terrible place for it. We’re going to make it work for us ‘til we’re ready to use it.

  Preston met Jim’s gaze. Don’t let that pretty woman fill your head with ideas.

  Oh, he had ideas, but not the kind Preston was worried about. She’s very good at what she does. She’s a valuable source of information, and I plan to take advantage of her knowledge as long as I can.

  Well, you should watch your step, if you know what I mean.

  Jim’s patience was wearing thin. His toe was throbbing, and he had a feeling Preston Woodruff was about to insult the woman God might have sent him to marry. No, I don’t know what you mean.

  Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the stories. That girl was a wild one when she lived here, and I hear tell she’s a wild one now.

  Jim thought of Marti’s natural shyness and the way she panicked when she couldn’t think of what to say. He remembered the way she trembled in his arms outside the coffee house, half afraid he’d hold her, half afraid he wouldn’t. Yeah. A real wild one. Surely you haven’t been listening to what a bunch of gossips have to say.

  Gossip, maybe. But she was up to something in Houston. Like I said, watch your step.

  Jim stood up. My relationship with Martha Randolph is not your concern. And maybe you should watch your step when it comes to believing everything you hear and then repeating it.

  Apparently even Preston knew when to quit. Okay, Jim, he said slowly and headed for the door. Understood.

  Beyond his growing anger over the older man’s comments, things still didn’t add up. Before you go, Preston, is there anything you want to tell me about why the other building campaign never got off the ground?

  Preston paused with his hand on the door. No.

  ****

  Marti grabbed the edge of the counter and spun herself around in one of Kimmie’s salon chairs. You’ll never guess what I had to buy today, she said, now breathless from the spin .

  Kimmie took her hair-coloring apron off. I can’t imagine.

  An adult potty chair.

  Kimmie shook her head. Your grandma’s gonna kill you.

  Marti dragged her foot along the floor and floated to a stop. Oh, I know. But the therapist said I should have it available the first few days she’s home.

  Yeah, it’s gonna take her a day or two just to get acclimated and learn how to move around in her house again.

  Marti headed for the dryer in the back room. And she’ll be pretty exhausted from the hospital stay and physical therapy. I’m going to sleep on a cot in her room the first couple nights, in case she needs me. She pulled out a mound of warm and fluffy white towels. Where do these go again?

  Just put a stack in the cabinet above mine and Charlene’s shampoo bowls.

  Got it. Marti started folding. Folding was easy. In fact, folding was mindless and mechanical and any well-trained beagle could do it. Wait a minute, she said, and hoisted a pile of towels onto the shelf. Why am I really here? Lord knows all we’ve done for two days is talk, paint each other’s nails, and spin around in these chairs. If you’d really hired me, I wouldn’t be worth the pay.

  Kimmie pulled the trash bag out of the can and tied it closed. She plopped it by the door and they both returned to their respective twirling chairs. I need the help and you need to get out of the house.

  Marti twisted her face into her you-must-be-kidding expression. C’mon, Kimmie. I don’t mean to be rude, but I haven’t seen but eight clients in two days. It doesn’t look like you’re busy enough to need me.

  It has been a little slow.

  A little? If you don’t mind my asking, how do you meet your bills?

  Very low overhead. My family owns this building, so I don’t pay rent.

  Marti took a spin and motioned around the room. But what about your clients?

  Believe it or not, the once-a-week-hairdo topped off with spray-on shellac is alive and well in Madison. Charlene and I are pretty busy on Friday and Saturday.

  Oh, you’re kidding, Marti snorted. I thought big Texas hair was over in the eighties.

  Nope. Kimmie took a spin of her own and let out a long sigh. Seriously, Marti. What do you think of this place?

  Is that why you fake hired me? For financial and marketing advice? ‘Cause you didn’t have to go to all this trouble.

  Of course not. But while you’re here, do you have any ideas? I would like to send Matthew to college someday.

  Can I be honest?

  Absolutely.

  Okay. Honest opinion. I can see this was an old shop, and you’ve tried to update it. The new black and white tile floor is chic and stylish. Don’t stop there. These days the successful salons are unisex. Men don’t have barbers, they have stylists. This is a small town. You could have all the young men’s business, but the name of the shop is Kim’s Kut-n-Kurl. Men won’t come to a Kut-n-Kurl .

  Jim comes here.

  Jim is weird. Change it to something like Kim’s or Hair by Kim. Then put flashy posters in the window with both men and women on them.

  I
can see that.

  From there you need to advertise. Tap into all those kids from youth group who come by here after school. Put an ad with a coupon in the school newspaper each month. Give your regular teenagers half-price haircuts if they bring a friend. Before you know it, this place will be crawling with kids wanting haircuts.

  Anything else?

  Sell hair products. Get a fancy display case from one of those companies soliciting you. Take advantage of their promotions. Oh, and get more trendy magazines. A little less Reader’s Digest and a little more Teen People .

  Kimmie pulled her knees to her chest and spun again .

  Are you sorry you asked? Marti wanted to know .

  No, just amazed. You don’t know this business, but you came up with a plan. I know the business, but have no plan. How did you do it?

  I just combined basic principles of advertising and customer satisfaction with all the latest trends I saw in the hair magazines. I also went through that pile of mail you’ve been ignoring and got a lot of ideas about what’s new in the biz.

  Kimmie laid back in the chair and spread her arms wide. Hey, watch this. She arched her back, stretched her legs out in front, and gave herself a gentle spin. This is the inverted beauty shop swan dive.

  Marti laughed so hard she lost her breath. An unattractive wheezing noise followed. You are too funny. I can’t wait to see the dismount.

  During her second turn, Kimmie gracefully raised her arms to simulate flight. Then she caught sight of the wall clock. The way she smashed her foot into the floor to stop the chair made her look less like an elegant swan and more like a demented pretzel. Great balls of fire! It’s three-fifteen.

  Marti, too, sprang from her chair. I’ll get the Oreos.

  Kimmie raced across the room. Quick. Let’s get this garbage out so we don’t have to do it later.

  Oh, yeah. I need to get the bag from the back.